Violin: Zuo Jun

Hailed as one of the most gifted Chinese violinists of his generation, Zuo Jun began violin studies at age six and is a graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music where he studied with Professors Shen Guan En and Zheng Shi Sheng. In 1988, Zuo Jun’s talent was noticed by Fredell Lack and he went to the United States to study with her and subsequently with Berl Senofsky and Ariana Bronne.

Zuo Jun played as a first violinist in the Houston Symphony from 1994 to 2004. Prior to joining the Houston Symphony, he was a member of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for a season. He has also appeared as soloist with many renowned symphony orchestras, such as the Shanghai Opera Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Radio Orchestra, Shanghai Ballet Orchestra, Jupiter Symphony Orchestra (New York), Julius Grossman Orchestra (New York), National Repertory Orchestra (Colorado), San Antonio Youth Symphony, Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra, and New Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.

Zuo Jun has been a prizewinner in prominent national and international competitions, including the first prize in the China National Violin Competition in Shanghai in 1986. Also, he was awarded prizes in the Kingsville International Music Competition in 1990, the American Music Teachers’ National Association Competition in 1989, the Corpus Christi Young Artists Competition in 1989, and the National Violin Competition of China in 1984. In 1984, Zuo Jun was invited by the China Ministry of Culture to perform in Beijing to celebrate the 35 th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. In that same year, he gave a solo recital as part of the “Spring of Shanghai” Music Festival.

Critics have praised Zuo Jun’s performances for his musicality and technical brilliance. He was featured on “Good Morning America” (ABC) in 1990, interviewed by NHK in 1987, and performed live on Singapore national television in 1986 and 2004.

Currently Zuo Jun is an Associate professor and Head of violin studies at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore.